Reflecting Back - Powered by 4 - April 2

Knowing that his life will likely be taken from him in the near future, Paul looks back and reflects on his spiritual past. He writes about his life as an example of encouragement for Timothy to follow in his footsteps, and the example is surely a good one. Paul tells Timothy he has served God fully and well—fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith. Then Paul shares how because of his faithful service to God, he (and others like him) will be a recipient of a special reward (the crown of righteousness) in heaven.

Reflecting back on our spiritual lives is a good exercise to help us live even better as we move forward. Our spiritual growth is an ongoing process that includes setbacks, hardship, and difficulties. So if you're thinking, I'm no Paul. I've had a bunch of stumbles. I've let God down. I don't feel like I've done my best, you're not alone. None of us (including Paul) have lived perfect lives. It's impossible, because we're all human. We can't go back and change something we did yesterday, last month, last year, or beyond that. The past is the past.

But we do have the power and the ability to do our best from this moment forward. And when we ask God to help us and then follow His leading, we will be able to say, like Paul, "I am fighting the good fight. I am running the race, and I am keeping the faith!"

Would you take a few minutes today to do some reflecting with me? Ask yourself: "How am I doing spiritually? Am I fighting the good fight? Am I keeping the faith?" Then, no matter what your answer, ask God to help you do even better. Ask Him to show you some specific ways you can be bolder for Him, how you can live with more confidence, and if there are things He wants you to do. Ask Him to give you wisdom, strength, and power so you can run the race of life to the best of your ability! Tami

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